What a privilege to share one of the biggest unknown secrets in Statesboro and Bulloch County. In 2005, a team of mobility experts arrived in Statesboro to provide transportation services to the Georgia Southern and Statesboro communities. Transdev US provided Georgia Southern University with its first CNG station and bus service.
Shirley Geter, GM Georgia Southern University 55603, recalls. “I assumed in August 2005 that the GSU start-up would last one month, but here I am 15 years later calling Statesboro my home with a lot of hidden treasures to discover!”
The Transdev US buses provide transportation for Georgia Southern University students within the Statesboro and Savannah campuses, as well shuttle services to SCAD (both in Atlanta and Savannah), Georgia Tech, Emory, Kennesaw State, and of course Georgia Southern.The city of Statesboro and Georgia Southern have experienced significant growth, and the fleet has grown from 4 to 22 buses, with 42 employees, of which 33 are drivers. What a success story!
Derrick Davis, Director of Parking and Transportation Georgia Southern University shared he has worked closely with Geter and Transdev US for 6 years.Their client-focused customer service and team have made football games, graduation, and day-to-day operations work well, transporting massive groups of passengers all over campus and southeast Georgia.
“We have 12 buses and service on the Statesboro campus and an intercampus shuttle that makes 4 round trips to the Armstrong/Savannah campus," he shared. "Non-Georgia Southern companies advertise on the campus buses as an added perk for the community."
Davis added, “Most students think the drivers are Georgia Southern employees because they make transportation a seamless part of campus life. Transdev drivers take pride in transporting the students and have developed relationships with them. [Recently], we had the first ever 'Accepted Students Day,’ where we hosted 1,320 potential students and a total of over 4,000 attendees."
For that event, Geter provided 10 buses for 6 hours. Davis added, "Many of the families wanted to tour the campus, and Transdev was able to SHINE and make the students make the decision to go to Georgia Southern in the fall!”
Geter shared, “One of the best parts of my job is my employees."
Her first hire, Freddie Moore, was asked "Why should I hire you?" He replied, "I will report every day," and this has held true.
Moore said, “Not only having a dedicated job and help getting the students around the campus, I enjoy watching their journey, as exciting freshmen to graduating seniors that go out into their careers. It is the biggest reward of working for Transdev at Georgia Southern University.”
Transdev has seen Georgia Southern through some unprecedented times, as well. Dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic, Transdev faced uncertainty and had to make necessary steps to ensure the safety of both staff and community. They provided free rides for vaccinations for those without access to transportation.
“This proved to be a huge success, and my staff members felt empowered to offer this service, becoming a lending hand to each other and the community," Geter said. "We have professional bus operators extraordinaire! In the fall, you may see a 14 bus procession through Statesboro, taking the time to thank our local businesses, the Police Department, and the Fire Department. Don't be surprised if the ‘Wheels on the Bus Roll’ around your place of business this fall!"
Transdev recently shuttled a different type of "seniors," as well. Alex Smith, Coordinator at action pact, expressed gratitude for their help in December 2024, when they provided transportation for about 40 senior citizens to attend a Georgia Southern University women's basketball game at Hanner Field House.
Smith recalls, “With the help of Transdev, the seniors were able to attend and have a good time.”
On another occasion in December 2022, action pact secured donations from local businesses to help pay for a charter bus to transport the seniors to the Augusta Mall and Ole Time Country Buffet for a day of Christmas shopping and good fellowship.
Geter closed saying, "Without the help of our staff, Georgia Southern University, and the Statesboro community, we would not have made it.”
All in all, the wheels on these buses carry a lot of important cargo in our community! Let's keep them rolling! For more information, contact Shirley Geter, GM/Transdev, at 912-681-2973 or visit www.TransdevNA.com. They are located at 101 Raybon Anderson Blvd. #8 in Statesboro.
